Chapter 40 Moving the Horse Thieves’ Horses and Sheep

As the first rays of dawn shone from the gray sky, the carriage of the Fu family stopped in front of a small, low house.

The small, low house was made of piles of dead branches, and it should be inhabited by nearby villagers.

Chu Chenyin pushed open the door of the carriage and looked out. A warm wind blew in her face. She followed Fu Yanting out of the carriage and came to a small, low house. She knocked on the door.

“Is anyone home?”

The light was still on in the house, but it immediately went out as they knocked on the door.

Chu Chenyin looked curiously at the window, “The lights are off inside.”

Marquis Fu walked over and said, “There have been horse thieves in these mountains all the time. They probably turned off the lights because they were afraid.”

As he spoke, he walked to the door and knocked again, “We are just merchants passing by. We would like to ask you for directions.”

The house became unusually quiet, and no one answered.

Chu Chenyin thought for a moment and looked at a small lamb at the door. She deliberately said in a loud voice, “Since you won’t come out, we’ll take the lamb away.”

As soon as she finished speaking, there was a sudden movement inside.

At this time, the lamb happened to bleat.

Not long after, the door suddenly opened, and a small boy poked his head out.

The boy was thin and small, with wheat-colored skin. He was wearing a dark blue robe and had two buns on his head. He looked about seven or eight years old.

“Don’t take my lamb away!” He rushed out and hugged the lamb at the door.

Chu Chenyin squatted down and asked him, “Little guy, do you know how to get to YouMrs. Chu City?”

The boy hugged the lamb and looked them over cautiously. Seeing that they were not horse thieves, he relaxed slightly, “Go west from here, cross a large grassland, and go around two mountains, and you will reach YouMrs. Chu City.”

Marquis Fu looked up at the grassland not far away, then took out the map in his hand and flipped through it, “It will probably take two days to cross the grassland. We might as well rest here first and change horses.”

Madam Fu got out of the carriage, “The children have been on the road for a long time. They really need to rest.”

Qing’er followed and said, “Madam, let’s build a fire here and cook some hot food for the young master and miss.”

Madam Fu nodded, “I’ll have Laifu bring the things out.”

Chu Chenyin looked to the side, her heart filled with joy. Finally, she could have some hot food.

All the way, we’ve been eating steamed buns and dumplings, along with some pre-made meat and tea cakes.

The food is good, but after eating it for so long, we still miss hot meals.

“Are you going to stay here?” The little boy asked them, holding the lamb and looking at them with round eyes.

Chu Chenyin reached out and touched the lamb in his hand, “No, we’re just taking a short break. Where are your parents?”

The little boy lowered his head, “My parents were taken by horse thieves when I went out…”

Chu Chenyin stood up and pointed to the empty stables and sheepfold behind them, “Were your horses and sheep also stolen by horse thieves?”

The little boy nodded with wet eyes, stroking the lamb in his hand, “Yes, Dingdang’s parents were also taken away.”

Chu Chenyin looked at the lamb and pondered for a while. Then she stood up and walked to Fu Yanting’s side, whispering, “This child said that there were horse thieves here.”

Fu Yanting held the long sword hanging from his waist, raised his head and looked around, “The nearby grasslands have been trampled flat. These horse thieves must be ruthless.”

“Isn’t it unsafe for us to be here?” Chu Chenyin slowly walked to the dilapidated stable and asked him.

Fu Yanting raised his eyebrows slightly, “These horse thieves have robbed once, they probably won’t come back.”

They didn’t leave a single horse or cow, only an empty small house, so they wouldn’t come back to rob a second time.

“However, it’s hard to say if they will come back to see if there are any leftovers.” Fu Yanting said, his gaze falling on the little boy.

Chu Chenyin’s eyes lit up, “Instead of waiting for them to come here, why don’t we go directly to their lair?”

Fu Yanting looked at her in surprise, “You want to empty the horse thieves’ lair?”

Chu Chenyin nodded, “These horse thieves didn’t just rob this family. They must have countless horses and sheep in their hands.”

Fu Yanting suppressed his surprise, turned his head to look at the distance, and said slowly with a slight smile, “That’s not a bad idea.”

These horse thieves are not like ordinary bandits. They make a living on horseback, burning, killing, and looting everywhere. They don’t spare women or even children.

The little boy must have been lucky to have survived.

Marquis Fu had mentioned the matter of suppressing bandits to the emperor, but before they could take action, the emperor was eager to take their lives.

The two of them decided to act after dark.